Ep 7. Citroen HY Van

Wheeler Dealers season 14 episode 7 focuses on the restoration and transformation of a unique vehicle, the Citroen HY Van. The episode begins with the hosts, Mike Brewer and Edd China, introducing the audience to the Citroen HY Van, a classic French iconic van that is designed with a unique and quirky shape.

Mike and Edd head to France to find a suitable Citroen HY Van to restore and customize. They purchase a rusty van and bring it back to the UK to begin the work. The host duo quickly get down to work and strip the van down to its base components and begin the restoration work. The van is in a bad state, and the duo starts by disassembling the van to assess the state of the structure.

Their first task is to reconstruct the van from its rusty state. They start with the engine and overhaul all the vital components to give it a new lease of life. The engine comes out as it needs serious attention to get it working correctly. Mike and Edd strip the engine open and discovered lots of rust, faulty parts, and a worn-out cylinder block which needs to be replaced. They source a new block and rebuild the engine with better components that can handle the extra-electrical demands of the new van.

The Citroen HY Van's wheels and brakes also need an overhaul, and the hosts restore the wheels and brakes to give them a fresh look and improved stopping power. Next, they focus on the body of the van, where they have to deal with numerous rust spots and holes. The pair address the rust and holes, cutting out the rust and replacing it with new metal. They also replace some of the damaged body panels with new ones.

As the restoration work continues, Mike and Edd start to customize the van to give it a unique and personalized look. They design and install a new interior space to transform the Van into a mobile bar. Together, they source new materials and install new countertops, refrigeration equipment, and elegant lighting systems to turn the Van into a funky bar.

The new bar addition is an exciting part of the build, but it is a significant task. Mike and Edd spend lots of time cutting, welding, and fabricating new features that can help the new interior work as a mobile bar. They install some funky industrial lighting features, leather seating, and a working draft beer tap to give the bar a unique, classy look.

After several weeks of hard work, Mike and Edd finally unveil the Citroen HY Van. The restoration is incredible, from the engine, wheels, and brakes to the interior that summarizes the unique Citroen HY Van. The vehicle now looks like an entirely new machine, a bespoke Citroen HY Bar inspired by the funky, retro Van which is sure to draw in the crowds.

Overall, the Wheeler Dealers season 14 episode 7, Citroen HY Van, demonstrates how the hosts can restore a vintage vehicle that has sentimental value and successfully transform it into something functional, unique, and modern. The transformation is a labor of love and demonstrates the lengths Wheeler Dealers go to customize and create a bespoke vehicle that meets modern-day standards and road ability.